Gailey Freight Hub: Developer challenges MP over low-paid jobs claim
The developer of a huge proposed rail freight hub has challenged claims the scheme will create 'low-paid' jobs.
Peter Frost, managing director of Four Ashes Ltd, said workers in the logistics industry are paid better than other roles and that salaries were rising above national levels.
It comes as campaigners are fighting plans for the West Midlands Interchange rail and warehouse depot which would span 700 acres at Four Ashes, Gailey, and Calf Heath in Staffordshire.
The scheme, if approved, is expected to create 8,500 jobs and attract workers from across the Black Country and Staffordshire.
But campaigners, including South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson, has said the jobs would be 'low-skilled and low-paid'.
However, Mr Frost said: "This does come up quite a lot. The logistics industry is rapidly changing and there is a historic perception that a lot of the jobs could be unskilled. But these are valuable jobs.
"What is happening is that the skill level has risen tremendously.
"People point to automation and robots and say that will mean there are less jobs. But in reality what happens is that the number of jobs per square feet goes up and you create a lot of IT jobs, analysts, and engineers which require a lot of skills and training and are well paid."
Documents from the developer say that the jobs will provide 'a range of skill and salary levels; part time and full time; shift and non-shift'.
It adds: "These would be high quality jobs with opportunities for career development and training – and salaries well above the regional average for skilled and experienced roles. It is estimated that 20 per cent of jobs would have salaries above the median for the area."
The document states at least 20 per cent of the jobs would be higher-skilled roles such as managers, engineering, technical professionals and skilled trades. Operative jobs in the warehouses would be 'particularly suitable' for school leavers, people without formal qualifications or those coming back to work from unemployment, it adds.
Mr Frost also countered Mr Williamson's suggestion that creating two public parks around the site was a 'cheap bribe'.
He said: "This is not an 'insignificant' gesture and I would have though 100 acres of country park would demonstrate that we want to go about our business in the right way. This is not just a few saplings but an significant investment in green infrastructure."
Four Ashes Ltd say when fully-running the project would boost the local economy by more than £400m a year.
But campaigners say it will increase traffic, cause irreversible environmental damage, and is an incursion on green belt land.
Planning inspectors will make a final decision on whether the project is approved.
